BBC-Burma marks propaganda day

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Saturday, June 26, 1999 Published at 10:37 GMT 11:37 UK
World: Asia-Pacific

Burma marks anti-drugs day

The Burmese military government says it will carry on its fight against the
illegal production and distribution of drugs, even if it has to do so
without foreign aid.

The Home Minister, Colonel Tin Hlaing, said the eradication of opium would
be achieved sooner with international help.

He was speaking at a ceremony in Rangoon to mark World Anti-Narcotics Day.

Burma is one of the world's largest producers of opium and its derivative,
heroin. Earlier this year an anti-drugs conference in Rangoon organised by
Interpol was boycotted by western nations which impose sanctions on Burma
because of its poor human rights record.

>From the newsroom of the BBC World Service